This scanning electron microscope image shows mouse leukemia virus (yellow particles) emerging or "budding" out of an infected white blood cell (in blue) known as a T-lymphocyte. By allowing this virus to evolve in mice, we produced new evidence that an arms race between microbes and immune-system MHC genes could be responsible for maintaining the amazing diversity of those genes. Many of these MHC genes persist despite the fact that many can cause susceptibility to autoimmune and infectious diseases. Interestingly, an estimated 70-95% of these viral babies are stillborn due to various defects in their genome or development. Read all about it

WHAT EVOLUTIONARY PROCESSES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXTREME GENETIC DIVERSITY OF HISTOCOMPATIBILITY (MHC) GENES?

To answer this question our laboratory utilizes interdisciplinary approaches involving immunology, host-parasite coevolution, behavior, sexual selection and kin selection. Our unique approach includes examining animal behavior and evaluating fitness in seminatural conditions, a methodology that has proven to be a sensitive assay for exploring cryptic phenotypes. The sensitive nature of our assays has lead us to begin to explore the use of our technology to screen substances, including some commonly found in our environment or diet, for adverse effects on mammalian health and vigor.